Simply Trae Chic

Papercraft Couture ~ by Alexandra Zaharova & IIya Plotnikov

Amazing! ...couture made completely out of paper! By Alexandra Zaharova and IIya Plotnikov.     
    

Sandra Backlund ~ Fashion as Art

 
These stunning creations are from the Clothespin Dress series by Swedish fashion designer Sandra Backland! Sandra is mostly known for her amazing knitwear designs that she constructs herself by hand. Her collections often show great volume and are sculpted in a way that is extremely dramatic and beautiful!

Same Sky Organization ~ Empowering Rwandan Genocide Survivors!

These fashion with a conscience bracelets are made by Rwandan women survivors of the 1994 Genocide! The Same Sky Organization uses all of the proceeds to employ and train HIV+ women, offering them a hand up by empowering them to rebuild their lives! The bracelets are made up of hand blown glass beads that have been crocheted together and are available in an array of beautiful colors! Many celebrities are very much in support of this cause, check out the video clip below! Same Sky Bracelets are available on their website for $160.

 

  

trae chic ::luxe soy candle collection:: ~ Coming Soon!!

 
Here is a sneak peak at a candle from our new ::luxe soy candle collection:: which is the first to come from Trae Chic Home & Gift Products. Already in exclusive boutiques, but soon to be available on-line via traechic.com

Carsten Witte Photography

 
These extraordinary photo's are from German Photographer Carsten Witte. The Hamburg native has an extensive portfolio ranging from fashion, beauty, advertising and art. He specializes in black and white photography and believes that all his photo's hold a story. Carsten's unusual eye evokes that dynamic shot that is intriguing, even eerie in some of his work, yet his photos always seem to brilliantly capture the essence of beauty. His nude shots are all very artistic, and beautifully done. Check out more from Carsten Witte here.

Dante Marioni ~ Transforming Traditional Form into Modern Glass Sculpture!

Originally from Mill Valley, Ca. glass artist Dante Marioni moved to Seattle with his family at age 15 where he began to learn the art of glassblowing with his father, Paul Marioni, who was one of the pioneers of the American studio glass movement. With Glass Masters such as Lino Tagliapietra, Benjamin Moore and Richard Marquis as his mentors, Dante learned from the best and has become one of the most accomplished glass blowers in the United States, producing beautifully crafted work that has been a part of several notable collections including  the White House Collection of American Crafts. Dante is known for his mastery of Venetian glassblowing techniques and transforms traditional vessels into modern glass sculpture focusing on elegant form, brilliant color and beautiful patterns!

 

Modern Ceramic Lamps ~ By Mamati

These modern lamps are made by Italian company Mamati. Designer T.Menozzi has created a very stylish and elegant collection of ceramic lamps that are all hand made using a special technique. They come in different sizes, shapes and colors and the smooth lines are very modern and would go nicely with most interiors. Mamati also has a collection of vases, bowls, trays and art that compliment these lamps beautifully! I'm looking forward to seeing more from this company!

A "Spin" on Modern Furniture ~ From Moroso/Diesel & Bughouse!

 
When you think of the company Diesel, shoes and jeans probably come to mind, but Diesel has actually expanded their brand to include an extensive line of furniture, lighting and home textiles. Teaming with furniture design company Moroso, they have come up with super hip pieces as a part of their Successful Living Collection . Check out the teaser below!

Bughouse Art and Design have got me buggin' over their quirky music inspired furniture pieces and art! Their Scratch DJ Coffee Table is photo transfer on knotty pine with aluminum legs and has an option for a glass top or poly-resin coating finish. The Album Side Table is a photographic reproduction of  a grouping of record jackets on birch plywood coated in poly-resin with aluminum legs.  Artisans/Designers, Rebecca Johnson and Jeff Klarin obviously share a passion for art, music and furniture design and have found a fun way to fuse the three together creating hip art and furniture that any DJ or music enthusiast would love!

Dale Chihuly's New Book Series ~ Featured Works ~ Modern Glass Art!!

Portland Press has just announced the launch of their new website! Portland Press publishes Dale Chihuly's books, videos, and DVDs; and presents Studio Edition Glass and Original Limited Edition Prints by Dale Chihuly. The site features Chihuly's newest book releases. The first three released in a series of ten, are Baskets, Putti, Chandeliers & Towers. Each book comes with a companion DVD that includes artist commentary on the history of each series, all approximately 15 minutes long. They begin shipping this week, just in time for the gift giving season!

 

If your in Seattle or Vegas early this November, you can catch Chihuly doing a lecture and book signing at the University Book Store in Seattle on the 5th from 6pm - 7:30pm and another book signing at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas on the 7th, from 1:00pm - 2:00pm
 

Modern Glass Art by Lino Tagliapietra

 

LinoTagliapietra is an Italian glass blower from Murano, Italy who is credited by Glass Masters around the world to be the best glass blower in the world! Dale Chihuly says that he is the best glass blower in the world that is still living! Often referred to as the Maestro of Glass, Lino's impeccable technique in the hotshop is unparelled! I have had the great pleasure of meeting Lino and watching him in action while I was the Education Coordinator at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. As an aspiring glass blower myself, these are some truely unforgettable moments! Lino has been to Pratt several times to teach an exclusive Summer Intensive course to accomplished glass blowers from all over. You literally need an extensive portfolio to qualify for the class. His work is remarkable and is shown in museums and galleries across the globe. Photos truely do not do his work justice!